A milestone moment for the Halifax Shipyard.
The HMCS Harry DeWolfe is now in active service following a commissioning ceremony on Saturday.
The vessel was built at Irving’s yard in Halifax and it’s the Royal Canadian Navy’s lead ship of Arctic offshore patrol vessels.
“Irving Shipbuilding and its many partners take great pride in seeing HMCS Harry DeWolf officially join the Canadian Navy. The commissioning is proof that Canada’s bold initiative to revive its shipbuilding industry is working,” said Kevin Mooney, president, Irving Shipbuilding. “Our new generation of talented shipbuilders is ready to meet the challenges that lie ahead, with the remainder of the Navy ships on track, the Coast Guard variant completing the design phase, and design and build plans well underway on the new Canadian Surface Combatant.”
What a sight! Watch as a Cyclone helicopter from 12 Wing Shearwater flies over @HMCSHarryDeWolf during the commissioning ceremony. @RoyalCanNavy @RCAF_ARC #ShipsForCanada pic.twitter.com/S6joZsRDxv
— Irving Shipbuilding (@IrvingShipbuild) June 26, 2021
Premier Iain Rankin says hundreds of local people were directly employed in the build.
“Nova Scotia has long been known for its expertise in shipbuilding, and now we have the first commissioned vessel ready for deployment,” said Rankin. “The economic value of these ship contracts is vital to Nova Scotia, providing millions of dollars in direct and indirect impact. Over 1,100 Nova Scotians were directly employed in the construction of HMCS Harry DeWolf at the Halifax Shipyard, and the construction of the remaining ships will provide opportunities for thousands more. Since 2015, 2,100 employees were hired in Halifax alone, with more jobs to come.”
The first mission for the $400-million ship will begin in August when it sails around North America, the Northwest Passage and the Panama Canal.
Irving Shipbuilding President, Kevin Mooney presents @HMCSHarryDeWolf Commanding Officer Corey Gleason with a photo presentation, while ISI Project Director for AOPS, Bruce MacGregor presents a Builder’s Plaque to Lieutenant commander Anthony Morash. @RoyalCanNavy #ShipsForCanada pic.twitter.com/DOUoOHP9uh
— Irving Shipbuilding (@IrvingShipbuild) June 26, 2021
